Saved Dead

Paul Graham 03-14-09 -

Today was the last day of a powerful and dynamic youth week of prayer. Up to this point in Judges 14-16 we’ve seen Samson thought of before he was (Judges 13:3), we’ve seen he was born to deliver (Judges 13:5), we’ve seen accounts of the Holy Spirit moving even when he didn’t want to be moved (Judges 16:3), and we’ve found that Samson had issues with his eyes (Judges 14:7, Judges 16:4). Even through all his backsliding and the fact that he is now captured by the Philistines, God began his healing process. What Samson had failed to learn all this time was that God will remove something that’s keeping you out of heaven. This is why God allowed his eyes to be removed because they were his downfall; after judging Israel for 20 years he still hadn’t learned his lesson. We find that Samson at this point has lost everything: he’s lost his girl; he’s lost a place of retreat because he cannot go back home; he’s lost his strength and even his identity because they can’t tell he’s strong because his hair is gone.

There come times in our lives where we are just like Samson. Times where we, who are called out of the chosen, revert back to the lifestyles that God has taken us out of. He sees us going down a path that leads to destruction and He gets us out of it. But because sin is so sweet, we don’t want to let it go. We want to stay in the sin and live the life, have the temporary high that comes with doing what we want, instead of what God wants. Not everything sweet is good for you. Hardships come into our lives not only to teach us a lesson, but to make us strong. God makes us strong. He shows us that we need to rely on Him because things are much easier to deal with when we are aligned with Him. Samson, after being blinded, can now see clearly. He sees himself for who he is. He has realized that now is his chance to avenge his eyes and at the same time take out all the lords of the Philistines who used Delilah to find his weakness. He is seeing clearly now through the Spirit’s eyes.

Now that Samson has rekindled his relationship with God, he has a real conversation with him. He talks to God as he is feeling the pillars to see how big they are. As his hair is growing back, the symbol of his strength, he realizes that he can now do what God wanted him to do. He can now begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines. In doing this and opening himself up to God to be used as was his purpose he realized that this will be his final act. In verse 26 this is the pivotal moment of the Samson’s life. A conversation takes place between sinner and God. Samson now knows where he stands with God.. He says, don’t save me alive, I know how I am. I know I’m gonna go back to my foolishness again, so please just take me out. I’ve already seen the mountaintop, there’s nothing more I’ve got to do. I’ve been there Lord. I’ve messed up. In fact, maybe I’m too shameful to go back to my people. He says, if you remember me this once I don’t need anything else. Just remember me.

And as he leaned, like we’re gonna lean on Jesus, all of the sin that has been a foundation where your sinful house lived, is gonna come down, just like the house where the Philistine lords partied came down. Samson pushed and the house fell and all those that were in it died. Just like Samson, push like you’ve never pushed before, lean like you’ve never leaned before. Now push and ask God, one more time for strength. Don’t stop praying, PUSH! Don’t stop believing, PUSH! Because when the house comes down you’re gonna be safe.